National Rugby League sides Melbourne Storm and the North Queensland Cowboys "have found a legal way to exploit next year's salary cap" by a combined A$1.5M ($1.2M), according to Phil Rothfield of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. The clubs will stage a testimonial game for former State of Origin side Queensland players Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston. In a "dangerous precedent," the NRL will allow the two clubs to play a trial match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in February, "with all gate takings, sponsorship, merchandise and potential TV rights being shared" by Smith and Thurston. They "could become" the NRL's first A$2M ($1.6M) stars by collecting up to A$750,000 ($596,000) each -- which is exempt from the salary cap -- on top of their A$1.3M ($1.03M) playing contracts. The "timing is interesting" in that Smith, as president of the Rugby League Players Association, "is entangled in bitter negotiations with NRL powerbrokers over the collective bargaining agreement." Melbourne Storm CEO Dave Donaghy declined to comment. His club could reap the benefit again next year by putting on a similar "charity" game for Billy Slater. The code's rules "allow for testimonial matches but they are rarely approved by the NRL." Given the status of these two players, "the NRL felt it was appropriate." Both clubs and the players' managers "have worked on the loophole for a number of months." NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said that Smith and Thurston "deserved the chance to play in a testimonial match." He said, "We do not approve these matches lightly but there is no doubt these are two of the best players to play the game" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 8/31).
